Using sick time for mental health

Did you know accrued sick time (timecard code “SIK”) can and should be used for both physical and mental illnesses/wellbeing? Article 12 of our MAPE contract states that employees “shall be granted sick leave” for reasons including “illness or disability.” Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time (EEST) law states that your sick time can be used for reasons including “the employee’s mental or physical illness; treatment or preventive care or a family member’s mental or physical illness, treatment or preventive care.”

Your supervisor cannot ask you what the sick time is being used for unless there are specific concerns (see below) – if you run into an issue with this, please contact a steward.

• Per our contract, you can be asked for a “statement from a medical practitioner” if there is “reasonable cause to believe that an employee has abused or is abusing sick leave.”
• Per state law “the law does not require that an employee provide specific details about the reason for using sick and safe time, including details related to the employee’s or their family member’s medical condition. After more than two consecutive scheduled workdays are missed for an ESST purpose, an employer may require reasonable documentation.”

You do need to notify your supervisor that you are using sick time, but they do not need to approve it. Per our contract, sick time shall be granted. An example email or phone call: “I want to let you know that I need to take sick time today. Thank you for understanding.”

Don’t forget that mental health care is covered under our SEGIP insurance plan – many members can access these services for $0 copay and no deductible. More information.